Hurting Friends

I know it's not limited to people my age, but I find it hard to see friends who are are suffering or dealing with serious medical problems. I find it even harder to know that friends are going through difficulties than to go through the same things myself. My own cancer was of less concern to me than things that have happened to people I love. After dealing with what happened to my Marsha it seems to have become a small plague in the arena of my friends. One of the benefits of life as a hermit is that you don't have to struggle with things that happen to or because of others. However, I keep going back to the Robin Williams character in 'Good Will Hunting '. Speaking of the illness and death of his wife he says he never regretted a minute of the time with her. I would say the same. If I had the choice of my relationship with Marsha and then the pain or no relationship with Marsha and no pain I wouldn't hesitate to pick Marsha all over again. The same with my friendships. My friends have given me so much joy and so many memories and helped me to grow so much as a person. How could I ever give all that up to avoid some difficulty or sadness at seeing bad things happen to people I love. Pray and stay is the only way. I am blessed with so many people who care about me and so many people that I care about. I also have no regrets that some of it is difficult and challenging.